Page 15 of Beautifully Reckless

“Did I just hurt the baby? Was I too rough?”

“Sy, calm down,” Rhys soothes, stepping up beside him as she slides her hand over his, prying his fingers from my arms. “Hugging Abbey won’t hurt her baby.”

Simon exhales, his shoulders relaxing. “Good.” Simon nods firmly before flashing me a wide, cheesy smile. “That would suck if you can’t hug anyone until your baby is born.”

“Yeah. It really would.” I smile back, but my attention shifts to Rhys.

She’s like a dark goddess.

Confident.

Stunning.

And a queen to her men.

Literally. She has like four boyfriends.

Wait, no. Five. There’s an older guy too, I think.

I don’t know what I expected from her. She’s been right there with Lexi a couple of the times Lexi wanted to help me. Even when our standoffs were tense, I knew she took her cues from Lexi.

And if Lexi thought I was worth saving, then Rhys must have believed it too.

How wonderful it must be to have friends like that.

Rhys would never betray Lexi the way I did.

Even though she’s taken my place, I’m glad Lexi has her.

“It’s so good to see you, Abbey. We’ll have a girls chat later.”

Her black-painted lips curl into a smile as she reaches out, giving my arm a gentle squeeze before leading Simon away.

A girls chat.

Shit.

That would be nice.

The thought makes my chest tighten, reminding me of Jols. When I stayed at the Western, Jols and I had a couple of girly chats. She reminded me of Lexi. They both have the same kindof warmth. They both care the same way with all of their hearts. I missed Lexi even more because of it.

I smile and nod at Rhys, letting her know I’d like that, just as Shaun steps forward.

Shaun Bossier was known as the Spanish Casanova of our school.

He’s a smooth talker. The guy who could get any girl he wanted.

Well, until Rhys claimed him as one of hers.

Sweeping me up in a hug that includes a spin, I laugh lightly before Shaun plants me back on my feet.

“You had us all worried, Abs. I’m fucking glad you’re okay.”

“Thanks, Shaun.” I smile just as Ayden shoulder-bumps him.

“Bossi’s right,” Ayden says, using Shaun’s nickname. “All of us have been worried, and Lex has been beside herself. I don’t know what happened at the Southern Sadists’ compound, but Ringo is on our shit list.”

My brows shoot up. “Oh… ummm.” I glance around, feeling the weight of every stare. They are either locked on my face or my bump, and my hand drifts over it protectively.

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